Damaging winds, hail, isolated tornadoes, and torrential rain are possible with a string of storms approaching Chicagoland today.

Severe storms continue in Chicago on Friday, and there is a risk of flash floods. Following a few heavy downpours Friday morning, hot, humid weather will continue much of the day.

Portions of west-central Chicago experienced localized flash flooding on July 8. Find out how to stay safe in flooded areas.

Another night of potentially dangerous storms is possible in the Chicago area Friday as the threat for severe weather increases heading into the afternoon and evening hours for northern Illinois.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning at 9:46 p.m. Tuesday night for Chicago and Cicero and the situation quickly escalated.

The flood watch is in effect until 7 a.m. Friday for Cook County, the collar counties and the majority of northern Illinois, according to the National Weather Service.

Straighter, smoother streams flow more violently than those that meander due to a reduction in friction. Areas with steeper terrain can see water accelerate downhill at a much faster rate causing a more destructive flash flood than flatter, open areas.

Texas. North Carolina. Illinois. New Mexico. Flash flooding has surged into the spotlight in the last week with record-breaking flood events occurring nearly back-to-back across the country. Here’s why they happened now and why floods are becoming more intense.